T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
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2630.1 | There is a test that invalidates these guidelines | COMET::KEMP | | Mon Aug 23 1993 20:25 | 30 |
| Good humor! But, these guidelines would not escape the logic that Mike
Royko suggested to be applied to Pentagon jobs when deciding who should
be cut and who should stay.
He said(and I paraphase from memory as the article appeared in the
Reagan era), "If a person can not give a job descrition of their job
from which you can figure out what it exactly is that they do or should
do, they have to be released from their position".
He started with the second floor janitor, asking, "What do you do?"
"I clean the bathrooms and mop the halls on the second floor", replied
the janitor.
"Good, get back to work!", he charged.
Seeing a middle-level executive type in a office, he stuck his head in
and asked, "What do you do?".
The executive straightened his tie and said, "I facilitate the
coordination of interaction between the governing and the governed in
matters of defense department..."
"You're fired!", interjected the questioner.
Moral of the story: If you facilitate, coordinate, empower, etc...start
working on a resume, ;-)
Bill K.
|
2630.2 | | GRANMA::MWANNEMACHER | country state of mind | Mon Aug 23 1993 20:32 | 6 |
|
Write as many memos as possible.
|
2630.3 | | AXEL::FOLEY | Rebel without a Clue | Mon Aug 23 1993 21:14 | 5 |
|
Make up stupid policies..
mike
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2630.4 | | ANGLIN::ALLER | | Mon Aug 23 1993 21:52 | 5 |
|
Walk fast, and look worried.
jwa
|
2630.5 | two more | BALMER::MUDGETT | smoldering stupidity | Mon Aug 23 1993 23:38 | 19 |
| My contributions:
1. Be in the office.
Several years ago we had a very opinionated secretary. I work at a large
site and one week things were quiet on site so I was hanging around the office
doing paperwork. She told me that it was nice that I was "busy." I and
most people who understand why field service contracts are bought would have
thought just the oposite.
2. Put distance between yourself and anyone who works with customers.
I remeber a field service person getting a staff job somewhere discribing
how much he "missed" field service. I asked if why if the person missed
the field so much why leave it? Because of the customers, they made it so
difficult. Hmmmmmm I guess we ought to come up with a different group of
people to consume our products.
Fred Mudgett
|
2630.6 | | CCAD23::TAN | FY94-Prepare for Saucer Separation | Mon Aug 23 1993 23:50 | 7 |
| Have lots of late nights.
That way, you show up for work looking highly overworked and bravely
soldiering on.
:)
joyce
|
2630.7 | Baffle 'em with... | QETOO::FERREIRA | | Tue Aug 24 1993 02:57 | 9 |
|
Keep a healthy arsenal of buzzwords always at the ready.
Don't allow a fifteen minute period to elapse without saying
"multi-media", "peer-to-peer LAN", "digital convergence",
"cellular technology" or "active-matrix display" at least once.
(Extra credit for using them all in the same sentence.)
(You lose points for actually knowing what any of these mean.)
|
2630.8 | (number of memos) * (size of distribution list) | MUNICH::HSTOECKLIN | If anything else fails, read instructions! | Tue Aug 24 1993 09:17 | 8 |
|
re .2
don't forget lots of CC to uper levels in order to make
your 'work' visible!
helmut
|
2630.9 | respond to questions | MEMIT::SILVERBERG_M | Mark Silverberg MLO1-5/B98 | Tue Aug 24 1993 10:02 | 2 |
| Smile & Nod & say "we're working the issue"
|
2630.10 | It is Never yes or no... | LUNER::SAUDELLI | Taurus the Bull | Tue Aug 24 1993 11:42 | 5 |
|
Never give a accurate and concise answer to Any question that is posed
to you.
Never give an honest answer.
|
2630.11 | | PLAYER::BROWNL | No... I've had my ears lowered | Tue Aug 24 1993 12:43 | 3 |
| Most importantly, never have any time for Notes.
Laurie.
|
2630.12 | | AKOCOA::BBARRY | | Tue Aug 24 1993 14:02 | 13 |
| Another ....
Always ask for alot of data. Ask for things that aren't really clear;
like number of lines on an order containing non-PC products, to
customers with a vowel in their name on odd-numbered weekdays
divided by the average system cost. Sorted of course, by moon
phases and geography within CBU.
Once you get the data (god help the analyst who generated it) make
alot of graphs (in color) and carry them with you, everywhere.
/Bob
|
2630.13 | And the big one is... | SPECXN::BLEY | | Tue Aug 24 1993 14:37 | 6 |
|
DON'T FORGET....
...fixed in the next release!
|
2630.14 | They're EVERYWHERE!! | POWDML::MCDONOUGH | | Tue Aug 24 1993 15:47 | 4 |
| What really is bothering me is the fact that I can apply NAMES to
individuals who emulate ALL of the useless traits noted here....
JM
|
2630.15 | Speak with authority | AIMHI::OBRIEN_J | Yabba Dabba DOO | Tue Aug 24 1993 17:41 | 33 |
| Not sure where I copied this article, but figured I'd add to this
string of notes.
FAKING IT
WITH WORK-CONTENT LANGUAGE
A long time bureaucrat has invented a way to let you sound as if you know
what you're talking about.
Philip Broughton, for many years with the U.S. Public Health Service, hit
upon what he calls the Systematic Buzz Phrase Projector. The system
employs these thirty buzz words:
0. integrated 0. management 0. Options
1. total 1. organizational 1. flexibility
2. systematized 2. monitored 2. capability
3. parallel 3. reciprocal 3. mobility
4. functional 4. digital 4. programming
5. responsive 5. logical 5. concept
6. optional 6. transitional 6. time-phase
7. synchronized 7. incremental 7. projection
8. compatible 8. third generation 8. hardware
9. balanced 9. policy 9. contingency
Broughton's procedure is simple. Think on any three-digit number, then
select the corresponding buzz words from each column.
For instance, number 736 produces "synchronized reciprocal time-phase," a
phrase you can drop into any report with a ring of authority.
"Nobody will have the remotest idea what you're talking about,' he says,
"But the important thing is that no one is about to admit it."
|
2630.16 | | STAR::ABBASI | iam a good si'kick | Tue Aug 24 1993 17:46 | 9 |
| .15
i like this !
is this copy righted? i'd like to borrow it and use it if it not?
thanks a bundel!
\nasser
|
2630.17 | | GSFSYS::MACDONALD | | Tue Aug 24 1993 17:55 | 11 |
|
Re: .15
I first saw that buzzword generator over 10 years ago. The rest of
the story is that the bureaucrat got fed up with his boss sending back
every report he wrote with things to change just to remind him who the
boss was. He developed the buzz word generator, started using it, and
his reports stopped coming back for changes.
Steve
|
2630.18 | Random Strings of Technolatin | CX3PST::KOWTOW::J_MARSH | | Tue Aug 24 1993 18:14 | 84 |
| Someone sent the following to me years ago. I wrote a program to
generate these random strings; still have it somewhere...
[forwards deleted...]
Random Strings of TechnoLatin
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doc Searls, Vice President and Diretor of
Public Relations, Hodskins Simone & Searls, Inc.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Generic Desription Table on the next page is what we
give to all our clients who are tempted to describe what they
do using a generic language that we call TechnoLatin. It's a
table of words that are (or have been made by frequent use) so
imprecise that they are easy to use. Like the blank tiles in
Scrabble, you can put them anywhere but they have no value.
All the words and expressions in the table were chosen to meet
precisely that criterion: to have no value. My favorite value-free
term is "solution." There are others we hate just as much, I am
sure. "Customer-driven" is one." "Transparent" is another.
It's fun putting together random strings of modifiers (including
"adnouns" -- nouns that serve as modifiers), such as "virtually
seamless object network strategy" and "incrementatly intelligent
workgroup process topology vendor." The table lets you mix and
match your own.
The frightening thing is, you can add across any row and get
what sounds like a credible slogan. There's "progressively
incremental developer interface" and "platform objective supplier."
See how many existing slogans you can find in the table.
Generic Description Table
ADVERBS ADJECTIVES ADNOUNS NOUNS PREFIXES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
fully alternative access achitecture hyper-
highly automated application(s) area multi-
extremely committed area business power-
virtually complete automation configuration truly-
graphically comprehensive business connection turbo
interactively configured communications design
digitally customer-driven computing division
incrementally dedicated configuration environment
jointly digital connectivity exchange
modularly environmental control facility
openly extend(si)able core function
operationally functional data generation
proactively graphical decision implementation
progressively incremental developer interface
seamlessly independent device level
transparently integrated engine market
uniquely intelligent enterprise media
visually interactive exchange method
interoperable expert module
joint groupware network
key industry operation
leading information platform
leveraged integration process
major level procesor
market-driven management product
modular market protocol
object-oriented marketing provider
objective media resource
open methods sector
operational multimedia service
overall network solution
personal object strategy
platform objective supplier
proactive personal system
progressive processing technology
rule-based protocol tool(s)
seamless support topology
sophisticated system(s) vendor
standards-based technology
state-of-the-art user
streamlined vendor
transparent workgroup
|
2630.19 | Reminds me of XCOOKIE | AKOCOA::BBARRY | | Tue Aug 24 1993 18:18 | 1 |
|
|
2630.20 | | AIMHI::OBRIEN_J | Yabba Dabba DOO | Tue Aug 24 1993 18:48 | 6 |
| .15 I have no idea if this is copy righted material or not. It was
just something I had seen and typed up, and filed away. I've had
it for about 8 years.
Julie
|
2630.21 | | HELIX::RUZICH | Realtime Software Engineering | Tue Aug 24 1993 21:40 | 23 |
| .6> Have lots of late nights.
.6> That way, you show up for work looking highly overworked and bravely
.6> soldiering on.
Joyce's suggestion reminds me of a guy I used to work with. He always
made a big deal about how many all nighters he did, and the amazing
amount of work he accomplished.
His method was that that he asked other people in the group to do some
of his work, because he was too busy. Also, I'm not really sure that
he worked all those nights he claimed he did. No one else was there,
of course.
But he sure could talk a good line. He was eventually booted for
participating in an illegal activity in the office.
I actually saw him on tv a few months ago, peddling software of dubious
merit. He certainly impressed the tv reporter.
The really productive people don't make a big deal of it.
-Steve
|
2630.22 | | MRKTNG::SLATER | Marc, ASE Performance Group | Wed Aug 25 1993 02:17 | 5 |
| Seen on the wall of an past F&A Consultant:
Give them a date or a dollar amount, but never both.
|
2630.23 | Got this from somewhere | FUNYET::ANDERSON | OpenVMS Forever! | Wed Aug 25 1993 02:44 | 38 |
2630.24 | Broughton's list is not for your financial gain | TLE::SAVAGE | | Wed Aug 25 1993 16:24 | 10 |
2630.25 | An earlier source | POBOX::LOVIK | | Wed Aug 25 1993 17:24 | 12 |
2630.26 | Buzz Word Generator | ODIXIE::WESTCL | Gator Golfer | Wed Aug 25 1993 17:40 | 7 |
| At least twenty years ago when I worked at Honeywell Info Systems, we
published a small card called the "Buzz Word Generator". It contained
three columns with about 7 or 8 words per column. Wish I still had
one. Obviously, the words back then were much different than those
seen in this notes file.
CW
|
2630.27 | | OTOU01::GANNON | Mind that bus! What bus? SPLAT!! | Wed Aug 25 1993 20:11 | 6 |
| I got my copy from Honeywell back in 1967 when I was on course at their
training school in London, England.
Surprisingly, the words are identical to those in the earlier example.
-Gerry
|
2630.28 | Simple.......... | SPECXN::KANNAN | | Thu Aug 26 1993 14:48 | 27 |
|
Deadwood's Guide
----------------
1. Do not work on anything that can be placed in a box, be sold or
used internally.
2. Learn these very important words and phrases:
-- Architecture
-- Process Strategy Re-orientation with Market Re-assessment Cycles
-- Process Quality Enhancement Task Force
-- Aligning Corporate Goals with Individual Needs with particular
reference to Motivational Theories
-- Strategic Program Management of Organizational Direction
3. Do not read any of Personal-computer or technical publications.
Never ever read PC Magazine.
4. Walk around with a frown on your face, spend a couple of hours in
the cafeteria, expressing your opinions on how "so-and-so" is
deadwood, shake your head disapprovingly and say " I don't know
how they still keep him/her around".
You should be all set!
Nari
|
2630.29 | bzzzz time-phase sequence effect must be highly correlated to be impactful | NPSS::BRANAM | Steve, Network Sys Supp, TWO/A9, DTN 247-3027 | Thu Aug 26 1993 18:03 | 7 |
| A very serious word missing from these lists is "impactful".
I know it has great credibility 'cause I heard a guy on NPR
say it.
You forgot the software engineer's number one line: I'm waiting
for the build to finish (which I am...what do you mean the
compile bombed 20 minutes ago?!?)
|
2630.30 | dialoguing | BOOKS::HAMILTON | All models are false; some are useful - Dr. G. Box | Thu Aug 26 1993 18:30 | 10 |
|
I've always liked (not) using the word dialogue as a verb.
As in, "well, we'll sit down and dialogue on that subject."
Or, when walking fast and looking worried, you could say
"<insert the name of your favorite high-level manager here> and
I were dialoguing on that very subject just yesterday."
Glenn
|
2630.31 | The other verbed noun that makes you look busy | CARAFE::GOLDSTEIN | Global Village Idiot | Thu Aug 26 1993 19:28 | 3 |
| You also have to liaise a lot.
Then when you liaise, you can dialogue too.
|
2630.32 | | BROKE::SHAH | Amitabh "Leadership DECAF? Yuck!" | Thu Aug 26 1993 20:51 | 1 |
| Ever seen a memo from any VP and above without the word "Leadership"?
|
2630.33 | Another one | PNDVAX::RS1_PS | Music's written by living composers | Thu Aug 26 1993 21:36 | 4 |
|
Don't forget "paradigm". Goes very well with "leverage" as
candidates for the most over-used technobabble.
|
2630.34 | paradigm == twenty cents? | ODIXIE::SILVERS | Dave, have POQET will travel | Fri Aug 27 1993 01:56 | 5 |
| The standard joke in our office is that a 'paradigm' is one nickel
short of a quarter, and that a 'paradigm shift' is moving two
dimes from your left pocket to your right pocket...
Ahhhhh, the joy of LEX.....
|
2630.35 | What does "busy" sound like? | CCAD23::TAN | FY94-Prepare for Saucer Separation | Fri Aug 27 1993 09:02 | 5 |
| What about proactive? I thought *that* was supposed to *the* word.
Mind you, I never keep up with these things.
:)
joyce
|
2630.36 | | ICS::CROUCH | Subterranean Dharma Bum | Fri Aug 27 1993 10:53 | 6 |
| TQM or Six Sigma.
Right, if it is mentioned then it probably isn't being practiced.
Jim C.
|
2630.37 | Delegate, delegate, delegate | MKOTS3::BROWN | Shave the Whales | Tue Aug 31 1993 11:31 | 1 |
|
|
2630.38 | Generate make-work memos | ODIXIE::SILVERS | Dave, have POQET will travel | Tue Aug 31 1993 18:39 | 33 |
| I received this memo 'thru the managment chain', and have 'sanitized'
it to keep the notes police from jumping me - generating make-work
memos to get people to waste their time is another way for deadwood to
keep a job here at Digital - enjoy, Ds.
TO: @ALLMGR
Many of you still have not changed the department field in your ALL-IN-1
mail header to "Digital Consulting." Please do so immediately. Following
is some help on how to do so.
Review the ALL-IN-1 mail headers for your account and those of your
employees to ensure that they are correct. Follow the following format:
From: <example of Deadwood>
Dept: Digital Consulting
Tel No: <phone no. of deadwood>
Note that the location code follows the name, the department field is set
to "Digital Consulting" rather than something else, and both the internal
and external phone numbers are included. The location code should be your
current location code -- if you have moved, please update this field.
Phone numbers can be changed using US followed by SPD from ALL-IN-1. For
the other fields, in some locations you can change them yourself using SOM
followed by LOC or DEPT. In other locations, you may need to get your
local system manager to make the changes for you.
(like the local system manager of a 2000 user cluster has nothing
better to do with his time.... sheeesh!)
|
2630.39 | | ZIGLAR::FPRUSS | Dr. Velocity | Wed Sep 22 1993 19:39 | 6 |
| re: .2
Writing memos is dangerous. Better to forward whatever drivel comes
your way.
FYI...
|